Veryl Switzer, the first Black player drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, died June 4 at age 89.
Switzer, a much-beloved alumnus of Kansas State University, played for the Packers in 1954 and 1955. After two years with the Packers, Switzer joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a lieutenant for two years. He then played football for three years in Canada.
Switzer was chosen fourth in the 1954 NFL draft. Green Bay had the third and fourth picks in the draft, but interestingly enough, the first four players chosen in that draft ended up playing for the Packers.